SUMEDHA/SPA WORKSHOP AT ERNAKULAM, KERALA “Immensely satisfying!”

The Salesian Psychological Association (SPA), South Asia organised a training Workshop at Ashir Bhavan, Ernakulam Kerala, from 15 to 19 November 2024. Ashir Bhavan is the Pastoral Centre of the Archdiocese of Verapoly

 

This Workshop titled “Growing Toward Psychosexual and Celibate Maturity” is part of the programmes related to the 25^th Anniversary of the SPA. Those responsible for the organisation were Dr. C. M. Joseph, current President of SPA and N. K. George, member of SPA.

 

The Workshop was inaugurated by the newly consecrated auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Verapoly, Dr. Anthony Valumkal.

 

It was facilitated by Dr. Jose Parappully, currently Director of Sumedha Centre for Psychological and Spiritual Wellbeing at Jharmari, Punjab. Parappully was the founding Secretary of SPA for nine years and it’s President for six years.

 

The content of the Workshop Included: Understanding Sex, Sexuality and Intimacy; Chastity and Celibacy; Heterosexual Attachment Dynamics; Some contemporary Challenges—Pornography, Masturbation, Homosexuality and Sexual Abuse.

 

The methodology was process-oriented. There was ample time after the presentations for introspection and group sharing, both micro and macro.

There were 22 participants – 12 religious men and 10 religious women from different congregations and dioceses.

Participants expressed immense satisfaction with the Workshop, its rich content and helpful methodology. Thirteen of the 22 participants in their feedback gave a perfect 10 on a scale of 1-10 on Usefulness, one indicating “Very Little useful” and 10 “Immensely Useful.”

 

Some illustrative comments:

•  “This workshop is more of learning, understanding and also an eye-opener on very many topics at a very deep level. What was most helpful was sharing in groups.” M.
• “I could clarify many of my doubts about sexuality and celibacy.” F.
• “It was very practical, simple, easy to understand. Benefitted immensely from the sessions. I am extremely blessed and happy that I chose to attend it. Thanks for making it so interesting and scholarly.” M.

• “The facilitator explained these sensitive subjects in a unique manner.” F.
• “This workshop was useful for me: systematic and well-prepared sessions; new information with clarity; quite a few of my doubts are cleared.” M.
• “These were really eye-opening sessions for me. My perception of and attitude toward certain persons have changed in a meaningful way.” F.

• “I would say this workshop is a transition event in my priestly life, to love celibate chastity at a deeper level. All the sessions were useful to me personally as well as for my ministry of formation.” M.
• “The workshop was excellent. The way the facilitator explained things enriched me. It is very useful in my life” F.

• “Personally, I could clarify many of my wrong notions about sex, sexuality, genitality, sexual orientation, etc., and I learned the psychological way of dealing with those who need our guidance.” M.

• “This workshop helped to look deep into my personal life. I was able to go through my childhood, adolescence, teenage and adult life. It helped me to evaluate my religious and priestly life. I was able to understand my sexuality more and appreciate it. The values of my celibacy and developing healthy friendships became clearer to me. The Workshop also helped me to understand more those suffering from sexual difficulties, especially with regard to masturbation and homosexuality. In short I am very much enriched by this workshop. The most useful part of the Workshop was the Introspection and personal reflections after every topic. The group sharings were very enlightening. This Workshop should be offered to more groups of priests and religious.” M.

 

 All the participants were given a Certificate of Participation.

 

The Salesian Psychological Association is organising a three-day Training workshop for counsellors, psychologists and psychotherapists from January 14 to  16, 2020. It will be held at the Don Bosco Provincial House, Bangalore. 

Conclusion of Psychological Dynamics and the Spiritual Journey Module at Sumedha Centre

 The Psychological Dynamics and the Spiritual Journey module (5 weeks) of the Sumedha Sadhana (12 week) programme concluded at Sumedha Centre today – 9^th November..

This module had several sub-modules, such as Self-Awareness, Prayerfulness, Process Spirituality, Midlife Dynamics, Sexuality and Intimacy, Celibacy and Hetero-Sexual attachment Dynamics, Trauma and Healing, and Holistic Spirituality. 

All these sub-modules were facilitated by Dr. Jose Parappully, the Director of Sumedha centre.

Participants expressed immense satisfaction with the module. They found it very beneficial Six of the nine participants gave a perfect 10 out of 10 on the Usefulness of the Module.

Some comments:

“The module enabled me to journey within, challenge some of my negative thought patterns, healed me of painful memories and overcome my restlessness.”

“I have experienced physical, mental and emotional healing. I am experiencing peace and harmony within.”

“The module was very practical and interesting. It helped me to let go of the past painful memories. I received a lot of healing. Somatic Meditation, Spirituality, Midlife Celibacy and Intimacy gave more clarity about religious life.”

“From all the modules I benefitted a lot: new insights and awareness.”

“The module facilitator was gifted with various capacities and taken the class in an excellent manner and I am enriched by the classes.”

“The facilitator has been Excellent!! His classes have been deep and meaningful.”

The Sumedha Sadhana concludes on December 14,2024.

The next Sumedha Sadhana begins on February 9, 2025. Registration is open Contact: sumedhacentre@gmail.com

SUMEDHA OUTREACH AT NVSC, PUNE – “Immensely Useful.”

 Dr. Jose Parappully, the Director of Sumedha centre at Jharmari, Punjab, was invited to facilitate a training workshop on the “POCSO Act 2012 and Helping Survivors of Sexual Abuse.” The Workshop was held at the National Vocation Service Centre (NVSC), Ramwadi, Pune from October 28 to November 1, 2024.

There were 41 participants – 16 male and 25 female -- from different parts of the country. This workshop was part of a 9-month training programme for Formators (Trainers of Candidates to the Priesthood and Religious Life).  NVSC is an institution under the auspices of the Conference of Carbolic Bishops of India (CBCI).

Topics covered in this Workshop included: Personal and Professional Boundaries and Boundary Violations, Prevalence Rates of Child and Adult Sexual Abuse in India and in the Catholic Church, Effects of Sexual Abuse on the Survivor, The POCSO Act 2012 and Church Laws on Sexual Boundary Violations, and Pathways to Healing and Recovery.

The methodology included: Inputs with relevant Case Studies, Videos and Songs, Reading and Sharing of Related Texts in Small Groups, Sharing and Discussion in Macro Groups, Introspection Exercises and Journal Writing."

Feedback from the participants show that they benefitted immensely from the Workshop. Twenty seven of the 39 who provided feedback, 27 gave a perfect 10 on a scale of 1-10, one indicating “Very Little Useful” and 10 indicating “Immensely useful,” and four gave a Nine."

Some Typical Comments:

• ·         “I have had such a wonderful workshop for the first time. The workshop enlightened me in so many ways. I gained lots of knowledge on various issues. I liked the methodology of this course. You were to the point, systematic and clear and open for clarification. I enjoyed freedom to express what I wanted to say.”
• ·         “This workshop was really useful for me, because it was so much informative… The way you explained, was really good. Your way of methodology. Explaining each topic, making me share in the smaller group and bring it to the larger group were much appreciated.”
• ·         “So many of the topics were eye-openers for me. Few of the things presented I was ignorant before.”
• ·         “Questions for introspection and group discussions together with participants of both sexes helped to have a sharing in depth and to get to know issues from different perspectives.”

• ·         “I had sometimes wrongly judged people and now I can grow as a compassionate and understanding person towards those who suffer emotionally. The classes gave me lot of awareness about the intensity of people’s traumatic experiences, which opened my eyes not to become a judge over such people.”
• ·       “The workshop increased my knowledge and gave me understanding how to deal with the persons who have experienced abuse without judging but helping the person to come out of it to live fully with happiness. It increased my compassion towards the victims.”

The next Sumedha Outreach Programme is at Ernakulam, Kerala. It is a residential training workshop on the topic “Growing Toward Psychosexual and Celibate Maturity.” Details and contact information on the workshop is given in the brochure below.